Immortality begins with the ninjas of Konoha.

In mid-August of Konoha Year 46, the recently graduated students faced the Chunin Exams.

As usual, the captain is responsible for nominations, and those with outstanding ninja talent are automatically promoted by the higher-ups.

For ninjas from ordinary families, everyone felt that being able to participate in the exams early was a good thing!

The rewards for D-rank missions are too low. After deducting the captain's share, most genin (low-ranking ninjas) can't even afford to upgrade their ninja tools and equipment.

Therefore, the news caused a stir among the students, with those graduating early this year raising their hands in welcome.

Might Guy was nominated for captain, which made him happy but also a little depressed. The village selection process emphasized team competition, and his two teammates couldn't keep up with him.

In Training Ground 44, inside the Death Forest, Might Guy, who had brought his teammates for special training, looked speechlessly at the two who had already collapsed on the ground.

"Kai, we just graduated not long ago, there's no need to work so hard!"

Ebisu, who was hit by "Earth Release: Heart Decapitation Technique", muttered to himself. He hadn't expected to be promoted to Chunin so early and had a clear understanding of his own strength.

On the other side, Genma Shiranui, tied to a large tree, also had a deadpan expression. He acted even more foolishly, actually getting trapped in the trap:

"It's hopeless, Guy! The team lacks sensory-type ninjas, making this kind of battle too difficult..."

"You two idiots, don't give up until the very last moment!"

Not far away, Might Guy, wearing a headband and a green bodysuit, glared and complained, twitching his ears, then sniffing and muttering impatiently:

"Where is it?!"

On the giant tree directly in front of Might Guy, using the dense foliage, Furukawa Osamu hung upside down beside the branch. Seeing that Guy below had lost patience and was yelling, he cut the thin steel wire.

"call out!"

The trap was set up again, and the kunai and shuriken went straight for Might Guy below.

Faced with the sudden attack, Matt Kai instantly drew two nunchucks, making a series of clanging sounds as he parried the attack. Then, he suddenly accelerated and charged straight at the giant tree at the top.

"Fire Release: Flame Bullet!"

Furukawa Osamu released his ninjutsu at the perfect moment. Might Guy, who was in mid-air, twisted his body to dodge the fireball and fell onto a thick tree branch, half of his body blackened.

Just as Might Guy was about to unleash his chakra in a desperate attempt to continue the pursuit, Kakashi, who had been preparing for a long time, rushed in front of him in the blink of an eye.

After activating his body, Kakashi moved with incredible speed, spinning around like a top as he attacked, his short swords flashing so fast that Might Guy could barely keep up.

When Kakashi seized the opportunity to successfully circle around behind and launch another surprise attack, the exhausted Might Guy hurriedly created distance.

The two chased each other on the tree trunk until Might Guy barely managed to shake off Kakashi and reach the ground, at which point the situation changed again.

"what!"

With a scream, Might Guy sank into the ground, with only his head sticking out, just like Ebisu.

Having completed his sneak attack, Furukawa Osamu leisurely appeared in front of the group, pondered for a moment, and proactively "dissuaded" them from entering:

"Don't expose your back to the enemy."

"It seems your captain shouldn't have been nominated so easily; advancing to Chunin too early might not be a good thing."

After rescuing the three with his deadpan eyes, Kakashi unusually said a few more words:

"Recently, the danger of C-rank missions has increased. Even if you are promoted to Chunin, there won't be any Jonin to give you special treatment."

"The village has too many obligations; something seems wrong."

Konoha has been accepting all commissions this year, regardless of the protests from Sunagakure. As long as the money is right, they will take on any level of mission.

The Jonin were extremely busy, and low-level missions were being dumped on the incompetent Chunin and inexperienced Genin.

The two did not tell their companions the truth. Apart from the request, while other ninja villages were mobilizing food and ninja tools, Konoha was quietly stockpiling "troops".

In the event of a localized conflict, undertaking a D-level mission would actually be a better option.

"Yeah, Guy! Even if you become a Chunin, it will be difficult for you to become a captain. Even Shu and Kakashi are subject to age restrictions."

Ebisu hurriedly tried to dissuade him, as he really didn't want to take the exam right after graduation, and Genma Shiranui felt the same way. Fearing that Might Guy would be stubborn, he reassured him:

"Kai, we can wait until next year. I'll work hard on the missions later."

Might Guy, stroking his chin, finally nodded. He wasn't afraid of the danger, but he also had to consider his teammates' situation.

"Okay, you're right, youth has only just begun, and I am indeed a bit too impatient!"

Normally, students graduate at age 12, but now it's happening earlier. Kakashi hadn't thought about these things in previous years, but after carrying out several high-level missions, he understood the village's intentions.

If things go wrong, these students who graduated early will be sent to the battlefield. Kakashi looked at Might Guy, who was laughing heartily with renewed energy, and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Kai, you're not a tool, don't die!"

"..."

After eating so much barbecue at the restaurant that night that he was completely stuffed, Matt Kai fully recovered and even remembered to "restrain himself" when saying goodbye at the door.

Kakashi waved his hand, his mood suddenly turning somewhat somber, and whispered to Furukawa Osamu beside him:

"Xiu, you knew all along? So all that stuff in the textbooks is just for kids?"

"War requires tools, and tools are not limited by age or status."

Kakashi was very proud of being a Chunin at the age of six. Looking back now, he realizes that the village was setting an example to encourage young people to leave school early.

"Don't assume things haven't happened."

"Whether or not one becomes a tool depends on oneself. As for Hyuga Shuichi's situation, there's nothing we can do about it."

"Maybe the Hokage can change everything? You can give it a try."

Osamu Furukawa responded simply that multiple ninja villages were preparing for war, and the reputation of the Kumogakure's AB combination had spread to Konoha, with the Chunin having received relevant intelligence.

"The Hokage?"

Kakashi subconsciously looked up at the Shadow Rock. In the darkness, he could only see some outlines, and the three Hokage on the rock wall were all in darkness.

-

Late at night, Furukawa Osamu returned to the apartment door. Just as he was about to open it, he turned to look into the shadows and whispered:

"Lord Orochimaru, what brings you here?"

"Such keen perception. It seems Tsunade wasn't just talking nonsense while drunk. Xiu, won't you invite me in for a while?"

Orochimaru, dressed in a Jonin green vest, slowly emerged from the darkness. Seeing Furukawa Osamu open the door and extend his hand in invitation, he immediately smiled and continued in a hoarse voice:

"I knew I hadn't misjudged you!"

Upon entering the living room, Orochimaru gave it a quick look around. Furukawa Osamu had brewed a pot of iced tea and had just sat down on the sofa when he heard an invitation from the other party:

"Xiu, would you be interested in exploring the mysteries of the soul together? It's the first step towards immortality."

Seeing the excited look on Orochimaru's face, Furukawa Osamu did not respond directly:

"I thought Lord Orochimaru was preparing for the Hokage position, and Tsunade-sensei was very troubled every day."

"Hokage? Sarutobi-sensei is still young; those discussions in the village are meaningless."

"To seek the truth, eternal life is the key; ultimately, a ninja must rely on strength."

When asked about the next Hokage, who has been the subject of much discussion in the past two years, Orochimaru simply smiled dismissively, saying that the Hokage was insignificant compared to Eternity.

Furukawa Osamu didn't take it seriously. If he were to nominate anyone now, the Sannin would be the best choice. If he were to narrow it down further, it would be a competition between Tsunade and Orochimaru.

"Trust me, you'll be interested in this technique!"

Without giving Furukawa Osamu a chance to ask further questions, Orochimaru remained silent for a moment, then swiftly and decisively presented a scroll.

When Furukawa Osamu took it in his hand, he immediately showed a look of surprise:

"Spiritualization technique? Forbidden technique?"

"Forbidden techniques are only for ordinary ninjas. The village has never given up researching these techniques, but most people don't have the talent."

Satisfied with Furukawa Osamu's surprised expression, Orochimaru chuckled and explained, then added:

"If you agree, this will be a secret between the two of us. After you master this technique, you will need to help me conduct some experiments in the future."

"Your medical ninjutsu is also a great help to me. Tsunade speaks highly of you, and I trust my old friend's judgment!"

Seeing Orochimaru hand him another scroll, Furukawa Osamu stopped looking at it and solemnly said:

"Completing this procedure may take a very long time!"

A smile returned to Orochimaru's face. Ignoring the time constraints, he said expectantly:

"It's been a pleasure working with you, Xiu. I knew I hadn't misjudged you!"

"..."